I laughed the other day when I saw someone post that there is "No new Class II secret runs left!" So with that, I felt maybe it was time I post this. It's just a little secret, or is it? Considering a typical weekend on the South Fork, I am not so sure if this is the right choice or not, but I guess that chapter has yet to be written and there is no use borrowing trouble.

Lower Putah Creek Class II (http://members.aol.com/coffeester/putah/putah.html)

Looking for a step up from the SF but not willing to do Trouble Maker? Cache Creek rafters got you down? Looking for something a little more "spicey" and in the creekin vein of things but not really ready for full Sierra creekin? Looking for something local that flows almost year round without having to drive all the way up the foothills?

Solano county has been hiding a creekin gem for awhile now with few takers. While not a world class run by any stretch of the imagination, it is something that has provided myself with a lot of entertainment over the last few months. I consider it on par with the Coloma to Greenwood stretch of the SFoA in difficulty with slightly more hazards not neccessarily more difficult rapids.

I am usually available on Sat or Sun and am willing to show people around / set up shuttles. Drop me a PM here!

See you on the creek :)

Aaron

I just updated Fly Fishin (rapid #1), Long Arm of the Law (rapid #2), Strainer Danger (rapid #4), and Column Drop (rapid #5) with rapid specific topos and descriptions. I'll fill in the rest over the next few days. I plan on running it this weekend and getting some photos to slap up of each rapid and hopefully an action shot or two.

thanks for the info bonk, I will probably drop you an email in a week or two to make a run on the Lower Putah. so far I have only ran C to G on the Lower South Fork, but would love to go somewhere else and see new things

Not sure how a class II run with a bunch of wood is a step up from the Slo. Fo., but knock yourself out. Let us know if there's some good play.

Not sure how a class II run with a bunch of wood is a step up from the Slo. Fo., but knock yourself out. Let us know if there's some good play.
I would say it is a step up in "river running" not necessarily difficulty. Eh i thought people might be interested in hitting a new spot. There is some play possibility IMO but currently the most likely spot (at ~500 CFS) is guarded by a strainer.

The off-season may see that strainer dissappear ;)

As a side note, I updated Skin Deep with its own topo. The only one left is Bumper Car, and I'll sketch that up this wekend along with a verbal description of the run.

Way to go on the maps and all. I've always wondered about that area.
See you on the creek!

Thanks for taking the time to write this up.
California Creeks will probably put in your write up if you send it. The maps are cool.
Pictures would be a big plus.

Thanks for taking the time to write this up.
California Creeks will probably put in your write up if you send it. The maps are cool.
Pictures would be a big plus.

Hello! Well from running it today, I was able to get some pictures and complete the written description (http://members.aol.com/coffeester/putah/putahrun.html) which now features pictures. As of now, all links work and all topos are up.

The flow today was ~450 CFS and I think that sub 500 cfs is the cut off. Todays run felt alot easier compared to flows in the ~600+ CFS range. At 450 CFS, I would say this is a clean cut Class II rapid with some maneuvering challenge because of the strainers, but all in all, a very fun and mellow run.

Anyways, hope someone finds it worth the time to read! :)

Below is some of the pics from today's run (yes I know they suck hehe):

http://members.aol.com/coffeester/putah/fly_fishin.jpg
http://members.aol.com/coffeester/putah/arm.jpg
http://members.aol.com/coffeester/putah/column.jpg
http://members.aol.com/coffeester/putah/skin.jpg

Nice shots bonk! It's a really fun run, with some excellent playspots and plenty of wildlife.
Thanx for the day on the creek. Would love to run that creek many more times! I'm always good to go at 9am Saturdays.

Nice shots bonk! It's a really fun run, with some excellent playspots and plenty of wildlife.
Thanx for the day on the creek. Would love to run that creek many more times! I'm always good to go at 9am Saturdays.

Sounds good Jib. I had a great time as well and am glad you had fun! The shot of you on Skin Deep is the best I got for this run. If you're interested, I can scan it in at higher rez and send it to you. Drop me a PM if you want it.

Hey, bonk - you up for Sat. @ 9am?

Hey, bonk - you up for Sat. @ 9am?

Jib,

Looks like Dave and I are going to do MF of American (Old Greenwood to the Confluence). Let me know if you're interested in that. I plan on leaving Vacaville around 7:30 AM.

Wish I could go. I gotta be back by noon for work. Have fun!

Change of plans:

Myself and a friend will be doing Putah this afternoon in about an hour (11:45 am now). The shuttle is set up so, call me at 707-448-6750 if you want to meet us at the put in.

I just checked PUT and the flow is over 400 cfs. Should be great paddling!

Report: Well it was ~420 CFS today and it was fantastic. At this level, the only rapids that will cause a Class II'er any thought at all is the last little bit of Fly Fishin and the last drop of Long Arm of the Law. The rest is all goodness! Dave found a sneaky way down Skin Deep that even at 420 cfs we were able to get down w/o having to portage at all. Take the middle follow the slightly deeper channel down and slightly right, then hook it up to the left channel below the strainer.

We ran it twice and had a blast both trips. The second time down we took out at the basalt boulders at the 90 degree right turn below Strainer Danger. At 420 CFS, still plenty of water everywhere to avoid pretty much all scraping except for on Skin Deep.

Tomorrow it is the Middle Fork of the American!

Don't stop man, just keep going!